Expectations for return of investments are on the rise as executives expect measurable outcomes, highlighting a need for earlier CFO involvement.
In a report by Rimini Street, Inc., it was revealed that C-suites most often collaborate with CIOs (31%) and CEOs (27%) on IT initiatives, placing sharper scrutiny on investment results.
CIOs, CEOs and CFOs are now identifying benefits realisation as their primary measure of ROI, as they expect approximately 27% of payback within the first one to two years, increasing to 37% within three to five years, and nearly half (48%) of total expected ROI beyond six years.
While their vision for the future of ERP varies, the study found that nearly 70% of C-suite leaders don’t see traditional ERP in the mix — 33% believe Agentic ERP that is autonomous with AI-driven decision-making is the future.
Another key finding of the report is that automation and AI now represent the most important five-year priority for executives, with 46% of CIOs and 43% of CEOs naming these capabilities as their top imperative.
The study, which reflects how executives are recalibrating their strategies around AI, automation and resilience as boards push for faster innovation and clearer business outcomes, also revealed that a widening talent gap and increasing frustration with vendor-directed ERP roadmaps can slow transformation efforts.
In the survey, 36% of C-suite leaders say skills gaps are limiting their ability to pursue growth opportunities, and 23% state that project delays are becoming a concern due to insufficient talent.
Moreover, it was found that 69% of leaders anticipate significant changes on the horizon for their ERP investments.
According to the report, every respondent (100%) indicated that business risk reduction is a top priority this year, underscoring ongoing concern about cybersecurity threats, supply chain disruptions and economic volatility.
To increase business agility and resiliency, leaders are investing in business continuity planning (45%), securing alternative sourcing suppliers (45%) and augmenting their workforce (44%).
